He signed in the summer of 2016, but only managed one full season at the Emirates, making just 11 Premier League appearances, before spending last season on loan back in his native Spain with Deportivo La Coruna.

Now, Manuel Pellegrini has taken a chance on the 29-year-old, and the Spaniard admits he is looking forward to working with the former Manchester City boss.

He said: “I was able to speak with Manuel and he explained to me the project. With the players at the Club, this has given the fan base a lot of hope, and that makes me excited.

“Pellegrini is one of the great coaches in world football, he’s won a lot of things with Villarreal, Malaga, Real Madrid and the Premier League he won at Manchester City, so it’ll be a great experience working here.

“To work with Pellegrini is very important for me, when West Ham called me, the first thing that passed through my head is that they had a world class coach and that they are building a very good squad, they have invested a lot and obviously I took that into account to make my decision to come.

“I want to tell the fans that it’s going to be a great year and I want to ask them for their support as they always do. We’re going to enjoy this season a lot.”